What is the difference between Visas and Green Cards?
What Are Visas? Visas are a document prepared by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), which gives someone the right to present themselves at a U.S. boundary or port of entry and attempt entry. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the border or airport makes the final decision whether to allow someone into the country or not. Nonetheless, having a visa is a good indication that entry will be permitted. An immigrant visa lets a person become a permanent citizen immediately upon U.S. entry; they will receive a green card soon after that. A non-immigrant visa is only temporary, which means a person cannot live as a legal residency in the country. The person will need to leave by the date shown on the 1-94 that he/she is issued at entry. What Are Green Cards? Green cards are used for the plastic photo ID card that someone receives upon becoming a U.S. lawful permanent resident. It includes cases where the person recently entered the U.S. using an immigrant visa and cases where ...